Summary
Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Amazing Spider-Man #51!An all-new villain has just entered the ring inSpider-Mancanon, one that even strikes fear into the hearts of some of Spidey’s most dangerous rogues, including Kraven the Hunter, Doctor Octopus, and Mysterio - and no, it’s notGreen Goblin. While it’s true Spider-Man’s other villains are wary of theGreen Goblin given that he’s utterly unhinged, this villain in question is “something much worse”.
In a preview forThe Amazing Spider-Man#51 by Zeb Wells, Ed McGuinness, and Todd Nauck, the Sinister Six - consisting of Doc Ock, Kraven, Mysterio, Vulture, Electro, and Sandman - have gathered to discuss a plan of attack against their greatest threat at the moment: the Living Brain. In a previous storyline, the Living Brain enslaved them, and the Sinister Six now wants revenge. However, the villains are interrupted when they receive a surprising call from Norman Osborn.
Norman, who has officially become the Green Goblin once more, calls the Sinister Six as a courtesy, as he’s sent someone to kill them. Doc Ock, who answered the call, is unbothered by Osborn’s insidious message, though moments later, he even feels a spike of fear when he hears a horrifying laugh from the depths of their lair. Vulture asks if that laugh belongs to the Green Goblin, and Kraven tells him that it’s “something much worse”. Indeed, Kraven is correct, as that laugh actually belongs to Marvel Comics’ new, most dangerous villain: Spider-Man aka the Spider-Goblin.
Spider-Goblin is a More Dangerous Threat than the Green Goblin, & Kraven Confirms It
Spider-Man officially became the Spider-Goblin in the previous issue,The Amazing Spider-Man#50, though the buildup to his transformation has been present for much longer. After Norman Osborn’s sins were purged from his body by Sin Eater, they were housed in a spear, and temporarily given to Spider-Man. Spider-Man was corrupted by the evil essence of the Green Goblin only for a short time before Norman Osborn reclaimed his sins, so that no one else had to suffer them. However, it was long enough for the Green Goblin to plant permanent seeds of evil within Spider-Man’s psyche.
When Norman Osborn revealed himself as the Green Goblin once more, he sprayed Spider-Man with Goblin Gas and then uttered an activation phrase that was established when Norman’s sins were inside Peter Parker’s mind. This turned Spider-Man into the maniacal Spider-Goblin. While fans haven’t seen Spider-Goblin in action quite yet, the full release of this issue will change that, and Kraven himself is terrified - which should tell fans all they need to know about this sinister new threat.
Spider-Goblin Has Been Teased as Marvel’s Most Dangerous Villain, & Now He Can Prove It
Inthe official solicitation forThe Amazing Spider-Man#53, Marvel Comics describesSpider-Goblin as “the most dangerous superhuman in the world”, and it’s easy to see how. Peter Parker is one of the smartest superheroes currently active in Marvel Comics, and he’s a trusted ally of the Avengers. Pair that with the ruthless evil of the Green Goblin that has now fully corrupted him, and Spider-Man could use his standing as an A-list hero to utterly dismantle the Avengers, and subsequently launch an attack against an undefended world.
While readers will just have to wait to see how Spider-Goblin will prove to be “the most dangerous superhuman in the world”, which will also answer why Kraven believes he’s “something much worse” than theGreen Goblin, the stage has been set for this newSpider-Manvillain to live up to his terrifying reputation.
The Amazing Spider-Man #51by Marvel Comics is available August 24, 2025.
